--- title: 6 Things Leaders Should Look For When Choosing Professional Learning description: Discover how school leaders can choose impactful PD rooted in the Science of Reading to meet requirements, empower teachers, and improve student outcomes. image: https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/hubfs/Hubspot%20Blog%20Image%201200x628%20(3)-1.png --- [![AIM Institute 2025 Landscape Subtitle CMYK (1)-1](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/AIM%20Institute%202025%20Landscape%20Subtitle%20CMYK%20(1)-1.png?width=2725&height=750&name=AIM%20Institute%202025%20Landscape%20Subtitle%20CMYK%20(1)-1.png "AIM Institute 2025 Landscape Subtitle CMYK (1)-1")](https://institute.aimpa.org/) Search Search Translate Website Select Language Afrikaans Albanian Amharic Arabic Armenian Assamese Aymara Azerbaijani Bambara Basque Belarusian Bengali Bhojpuri Bosnian Bulgarian Catalan Cebuano Chichewa Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Corsican Croatian Czech Danish Dhivehi Dogri Dutch Esperanto Estonian Ewe Filipino Finnish French Frisian Galician Georgian German Greek Guarani Gujarati Haitian Creole Hausa Hawaiian Hebrew Hindi Hmong Hungarian Icelandic Igbo Ilocano Indonesian Irish Gaelic Italian Japanese Javanese Kannada Kazakh Khmer Kinyarwanda Konkani Korean Krio Kurdish (Kurmanji) Kurdish (Sorani) Kyrgyz Lao Latin Latvian Lingala Lithuanian Luganda Luxembourgish Macedonian Maithili Malagasy Malay Malayalam Maltese Maori Marathi Meiteilon (Manipuri) Mizo Mongolian Myanmar (Burmese) Nepali Norwegian Odia (Oriya) Oromo Pashto Persian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Quechua Romanian Russian Samoan Sanskrit Scots Gaelic Sepedi Serbian Sesotho Shona Sindhi Sinhala Slovak Slovenian Somali Spanish Sundanese Swahili Swedish Tajik Tamil Tatar Telugu Thai Tigrinya Tsonga Turkish Turkmen Twi Ukrainian Urdu Uyghur Uzbek Vietnamese Welsh Xhosa Yiddish Yoruba Zulu - 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[Who We Are](https://institute.aimpa.org/who-we-are) - [Who We Serve](https://institute.aimpa.org/who-we-serve) - [What We Provide](https://institute.aimpa.org/what-we-provide) - [Research & Impact](https://institute.aimpa.org/research-impact) - [Connect & Learn](https://institute.aimpa.org/connect-learn) ![](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/hubfs/Hubspot%20Blog%20Image%201200x628%20(3)-1.png) # 6 Things Leaders Should Look For When Choosing Professional Learning Published by [AIM Institute](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/author/aim-institute) on Jun 12, 2023, 1:50:00 PM School leaders are increasingly focused on providing literacy training rooted in structured literacy principles, driven by legislative requirements and a commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction. With states increasingly developing [education policy](https://excelined.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ExcelinEd_PolicyToolkit_EarlyLiteracy_StatebyStateAnalysis_2021.pdf) using evidence-based instructional methods, it is important for leaders to choose professional learning that focuses on helping teachers with implementation in order to improve instructional practices in the classroom. What should leaders look for when trying to find professional learning experiences that are more than a check box for required training? When evaluating learning opportunities, look for training that: **1. ) Aligns to the [Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading](https://app.box.com/s/21gdk2k1p3bnagdfz1xy0v98j5ytl1wk)** High-quality literacy training should enhance understanding of the latest research and connect it to evidence-based practices. Leaders should seek training accredited by the International Dyslexia Association to support this important research-to-practice gap. **2.) Connects to classroom practice** Providing training that teachers can connect to their daily practice is critical in supporting implementation of new learning in the classroom. Look for student snapshots, modeled lessons, classroom exemplars, and training opportunities that allow teachers to determine which instructional practices might move a student forward. This ongoing learning allows teachers to better understand the strengths and areas for enhancement within their existing curriculum. **3.) Provides concrete, evidence-aligned materials** In addition to learning structured literacy principles, curriculum-agnostic tools like lesson plans, instructional scripts, and graphic organizers are critical to implementation success. These materials should be adaptable to any classroom or curriculum, helping teachers integrate new practices seamlessly. **4.) Uses a professional learning community format** Seek opportunities for educators to participate in real-time learning sessions, whether in-person or virtual, where they can review content, collaborate with peers, and problem-solve with expert facilitators. This ongoing support ensures teachers have the time to practice, plan, and refine their skills within a professional learning community. **5.) Honors cultural and linguistic diversity** As classrooms become more diverse, it's essential for teachers to build positive relationships and connect with all students. Training that is culturally responsive honors the cultural and linguistic diversity of all learners, empowering teachers to leverage students' strengths and bridge connections to literacy. **6.) Differentiates instruction based on data** The AIM Institute for Learning & Research’s comprehensive literacy training courses offer the flexibility of online instruction with an important focus on diagnostic, prescriptive approaches to reading instruction. Through continuous assessment, analysis, and tailored intervention, teachers learn how each student's reading needs are accurately identified and effectively addressed, leading to better learning outcomes   ---   ![aimpathways](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/aimpathways.png?width=301&height=66&name=aimpathways.png) Did you know that all of AIM's [professional learning opportunities](https://institute.aimpa.org/aim-pathways/aim-pathways-individual-cohort), including our IDA-accredited courses[,](https://institute.aimpa.org/aim-pathways/aim-pathways-individual-cohort)are open for individual enrollment? If you are interested in group training for 30 or more educators in your school, district, or state, be sure to reach out and start a conversation today to develop a training schedule that meets your organization's needs.   [Start A Conversation](https://info.institute.aimpa.org/lets-connect)   **About AIM Institute:** The AIM Institute for Learning & Research® is a non-profit center for educational excellence and professional development, providing educators with the latest research, technology, and evidence-based practices in the fields of literacy and language-based learning disabilities. Tags: [Literacy](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/tag/literacy), [Professional Development](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/tag/professional-development) [Back to Blog](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## Related Articles ## [Back to School with AIM Institute: Professional Learning Highlights](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/back-to-school-with-aim-institute-professional-learning-highlights) AIM is proud to partner with educators and leaders in over 39 states to provide high-quality... [Read More](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/back-to-school-with-aim-institute-professional-learning-highlights) ## [From Policy to Practice: How AIM Institute Partners with States to Improve Literacy](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/from-policy-to-practice-how-aim-institute-partners-with-states-to-improve-literacy) At AIM Institute, we believe that achieving literacy success requires a collective effort. That’s... [Read More](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/from-policy-to-practice-how-aim-institute-partners-with-states-to-improve-literacy) ## [Lead the Charge! The Importance of Leadership Training](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/the-importance-of-leadership-training) Comprehensive literacy training grounded in evidence-based practices provides crucial foundational... [Read More](https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/the-importance-of-leadership-training) **AIM Institute for Learning & Research** 1200 River Road Conshohocken, PA 19428 (215) 483-2461 F: (215) 483-4597 [consulting@aimpa.org](mailto:consulting@aimpa.org) **The AIM Institute for Learning & Research provides evidence-based professional development to build strong, sustainable literacy instruction.** *The Academy In Manayunk (DBA as AIM Institute for Learning & Research and AIM Academy) is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Federal Tax ID# is 01-0849648. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.* - [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aiminstitutepa/) - [X](https://x.com/AIMtoLearn) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/aiminstitutepa/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/aiminstitutepa) - [Find Your Training Pathway](https://institute.aimpa.org/what-we-provide) - [Get AIM News](https://institute.aimpa.org/who-we-are/institute-news) - [Contact Us](https://institute.aimpa.org/who-we-are/contact-us) - [Research to Practice Symposium](https://institute.aimpa.org/research-impact/research-to-practice-symposium) - [Careers at AIM](https://institute.aimpa.org/who-we-are/careers) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "AIM Institute", "url" : "https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/author/aim-institute" }, "dateModified" : "2024-08-21T13:48:16.768Z", "datePublished" : "2023-06-12T17:50:00.000Z", "headline" : "6 Things Leaders Should Look For When Choosing Professional Learning", "image" : [ "https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/hubfs/Hubspot%20Blog%20Image%201200x628%20(3)-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/aim-resources/6-things-leaders-should-look-for-when-choosing-professional-learning", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.institute.aimpa.org/hubfs/AIM%20Institute%202025%20Landscape%20Subtitle%20CMYK%20(1).png" }, "name" : "AIM Institute for Learning & Research" } } ```